VOCAL MECCA: LOUD & PROUD
  by THE G-MAN, Immedia Wire Service

They came, they sang, they hit higher notes. Singers of every description streamed into the Knitting Factory for "Vocal Mecca," a half-day seminar from LAMP (Los Angeles Music Productions).

The star attractions were three of the most in-demand vocal coaches in the business: Lis Lewis (No Doubt, Linkin Park, Britney Spears, Bobby McFerrin); Elisabeth Howard (countless Broadway stars); and Seth Riggs (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Sinead O'Conner, Eurythmics).

I thought I would stay for a while, then go to the back and "network," but the presentations were so fascinating that it never occurred to me to leave my seat. What these three geniuses showed us was invaluable, and just scratched the surface of the art of singing. With examples on CD, on tape, and in person, Howard and Riggs demonstrated some of the magical things that can happen with the human voice from chest to head and at the vocal cords.

It was an ear-opening experience, and it has had at least two profound changes in my life: one, I warm up with a new attitude and new set of vocal exercises; and two, every moment of my radio listening since Saturday has been spent on operatic recordings instead of my usual mixture of electronic, pop, hip hop, and jazz.

LAMP's "Vocal Mecca" was a hit!
                                                                                    

Pictured from left to right: Seth Riggs, Lis Lewis, Elisabeth Howard, and L*A*M*P leader Leslie Waller.